Cult of Reason

This episode is a discussion with Dr. Robin Edelstein from the University of Michigan about the psychology of love and how dynamic hormonal changes influence our behavior in the context of relationships. We also discuss some of the many challenges we face trying to maintain stable relationships in today's world.

In this episode I have a conversation with Dr. Tom Schmidt who is a professor at the University of Michigan in the department of Internal Medicine as well as the department of Ecology and Evolutionary biology. We talk about the recent advances in the gut microbiome and how the trillions of organisms we all have living along our digestive tracts may affect wellness and disease.

My guest for this podcast is Dr. Merlyn Mowrey PhD., a philosopher at Central Michigan University. We discuss the Pulitzer Prize winning book Denial of Death and other writings by the cultural anthropologist and interdisciplinary scholar of the human condition-Ernest Becker. We cover some basic themes of his theory related to human nature and human motives, and its relevance to society today.

In this episode I talk with Dr. Tom Nabity MD, an interventional pain Physician, and Steven Clausnitzer who is CEO of Forever Labs. We discuss the current use of stem cells in medicine, and whether they have the potential to some day prevent disease and even reverse aging. We also briefly discuss the controversial subject of hormonal therapy for health maintenance, improved quality of life, and longevity.

In this episode I talk with Castratta, Lady Pain about the underground culture of kink, her former work as a dominatrix, and how to solve the Middle East crisis.

In this episode I chat with musician, author, and Detroit native Sean Madigan Hoen about his great memoir "Songs Only You Know". We discuss some of the dark themes in the book, his writing process, and where some of the characters are today. We also share some opinions on social commentary, literature, and the psychology of persuasion and propaganda.

In this episode I talk with Mark Lumley, Distinguished Professor and Director of the PhD Program in Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology at Wayne State University. We mostly focus on Mark's expertise and research in emotional processing and how dysfunction in this process can contribute to chronic pain. Our conversation also meanders through different broad topics in psychology and culture.

This first Cult of Reason podcast is a conversation I had with Vaibhav Diwadkar and Otto Musik, two neuroscientists at Wayne State University, and their experience using neuro-imaging to study the brain of Wim Hof. We also discuss the Wim Hof method in general and our opinions regarding its mechanism, validity, and degree to which it may have practical implications for health and well being.